MEMBERS the Church of Ireland’s General Synod, meeting in Naas, Co. Kildare, last Friday and Saturday, had the rare opportunity of viewing original footage of a film, thought to have been lost, which was screened in 1970 to mark the centenary of the disestablishment of the Church of Ireland.

The 29-minute film, produced by Radharc Films for the national broadcasting network RTÈ, was recently discovered by staff in the Representative Church Body Library, in the shape of an unmarked 16mm cine film. It has been digitally remastered, and opens with the presenter, Paul Loughlin, standing on a rooftop in Tailor’s Lane, Dublin, with the Synod Hall and Christ Church Cathedral in the background.

It shows footage of various events in the centenary anniversary year, including a special St Patrick’s Day service in Armagh Cathedral. The film also includes footage of the opening of the new library in Braemor Park, and a discussion for young people in a hotel in Wicklow about where the Church was heading.

A Church of Ireland press release describes the film as “remarkable”. It was independently written and produced by Fr Des Forristal, of Dublin archdiocese, and a founder of Radharc, which was involved in the production of programmes relating to religious, historical, and social issues.

“At this difficult time for interchurch relations on the island, the film reveals deep respect for the contribution of the Church of Ireland and captures sound and images of significant ecumenical relationship-building encounters that were ahead of its time,” the press release says.

“The commentary provides a balanced and largely positive reflection about the impact of Disestablishment, which, it suggests, effectively saved the unity of the Church of Ireland as an all-island Church from subsequent political divisions.”